TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
TEXAS BANKING NEWS, PEOPLE AND IDEAS
William L. “Billy” Mullins, senior executive vice president, chief risk officer and director at Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, announced his retirement after a banking career spanning 51 years, effective July 17. Mullins started his banking career in 1974 as an assistant national bank examiner for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). In 1979, … Read more
Jeff Austin III, chairman of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, has announced promotions of three executives within the organization. Jason Petersen has been named chief credit officer. A current member of the executive committee and a senior executive vice president, Petersen will move from the role of chief lending officer to chief credit officer following the retirement of … Read more
Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, recently announced the promotions of numerous employees approved at the March 2025 board meeting in Jacksonville. Crystal Bateman, senior vice president and relationship manager, has been promoted to deputy regional president for the Southwest Region, encompassing Jacksonville, South Jacksonville, Troup, Rusk, Frankston and Palestine. … Read more
On January 24, Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, announced that Austin Bancorp Inc., the parent company of Austin Bank, has received regulatory approval for the company’s acquisition of Chasewood Bank, based in Houston. The acquisition date of February 14, 2025, will create combined assets of $2.9 billion with 40 … Read more
On November 21, Jacksonville-based Austin Bank and the Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chambers of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new full-service banking center in Montgomery. The ceremony was well attended by both chambers and business leaders, the Austin Bank leadership team and employees, along with associates from the SLI Group … Read more
On October 16, Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, announced that Austin Bancorp Inc., the bank’s parent company, has entered into an agreement to acquire Houston-based Chasewood Bank. Chasewood Bank serves northern Harris County with two locations and reports assets of approximately $88 million. The merger is expected to close … Read more
Laurel Ann (Sissy) Phillips Austin, chief lending officer, investment officer and member of the board of directors at Jacksonville-based Austin Bank and its parent company, Austin Bancorp Inc., passed away on August 29 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was 83. Austin grew up in Jacksonville, graduated as valedictorian from the Jacksonville High … Read more
Dan Droege was recently promoted to executive vice president and regional president at Jacksonville-based Austin Bank. The promotion was announced by Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board. Droege joined the bank in 2017 as a senior vice president and relationship manager in the Longview Oak Forest office and was promoted to Longview market president … Read more
Dianne Escue has joined Jacksonville-based Austin Bank to serve as vice president and retail office manager in the downtown Jacksonville office. She brings 32 years of banking experience to the new position, most in management roles. “With her experience in customer service and leadership, Dianne has the skills that will enable her to foster relationships … Read more
Jeff Austin III, chairman of the board of Jacksonville-based Austin Bank, has announced the promotion of Dustin Beavers to senior vice president. The promotion was approved at the bank’s February 2024 board meeting. With more than 18 years of banking and lending experience, Beavers has held management positions in both retail and lending operations. He … Read more